Merger on the Table for Major Service Providers

Disability and mental health service providers, Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions, are one step closer towards merging after signing a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the benefits of an amalgamation.

According to the organisations, the MOU marks the beginning of a process that ultimately requires respective board and both State and Federal Government support.

“The general community services sector is becoming increasingly competitive and across the board is now under pressure to reform; in some areas with additional complexity due to the introduction of the NDIS,” the organisations said.

“To respond to that challenge, organisations in the sector will need to be offering a greater breadth and depth of services. Separately the two organisations might be vulnerable. Together, and stronger, they are better able to face these challenges.

“Break Thru provides services in NSW, Victoria and Queensland in employment, training and community services to people with disability, mental illness, Indigenous Australians, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, youth at risk, long term unemployed and more broadly for those who are disadvantaged.

“Of those, its most significant contribution to the new venture is its substantial portfolio and experience delivering employment outcomes.

“Achieve Australia provides strong services in employment, accommodation and day services in Sydney for people with disability or disadvantage. Of those, its strongest contribution to the new venture is in delivering socially inclusive community living services.”

Break Thru Founder and Managing Director Ross Lewis said: “The ‘new’ organisation will be well positioned to become the national leader in the sector, servicing a combined community of over 20,000 people and their families.”

According to the organisations, the key strategic benefits of the merger would include:

• Significant investments in infrastructure. This includes new opportunities and programs to more effectively support people to be valued contributors in their workplace and local communities;
• Greater breadth and depth of quality results for all clients. Combining their expertise and networks would engineer over time an expansion of services, opportunities and reach to give all Australians, regardless of their background or perceived barriers, more opportunity to lead meaningful and valued lives;
• Accelerated growth and scale. The NDIS and self managed funding has changed the national landscape. Combining their resources would allow both organisations to better accommodate this transition, empowering strong growth with the renewed energy of cooperation and shared knowledge, giving them the flexibility to adapt and flourish.

Achieve Australia Chief Executive Officer Anne Bryce made the assurance that the wellbeing of clients, their families, staff and volunteers would be at the forefront of decision-making in the coming months.